Posted on 05/29/2005 10:58:38 AM PDT by FairOpinion
TASHKENT (Reuters) - Three U.S. senators reprimanded U.S. ally Uzbekistan on Sunday for refusing to allow an international investigation into hundreds of deaths in the eastern town of Andizhan earlier this month.
Republican Senators John McCain, Lyndsey Graham and John Sununu had traveled to the Central Asian republic to investigate the violence in which witnesses said troops opened fire on demonstrators and killed about 500 people.
"We are here today because we are concerned about recent events that have taken place and which entailed the killing of innocent people," McCain told a news conference in Tashkent after meeting opposition groups and witnesses to the violence.
"No government officials agreed to meet with us," he said.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov has rejected a U.N. call to hold an international probe into the Andizhan violence. He says only 169 people were killed, mostly "bandits," while witnesses say troops killed civilians protesting against an unfair trial.
"We believe there should be a complete investigation conducted by the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe)," McCain said.
Graham said that without an international investigation it would be "very difficult to have the relationship that we would like to have."
"The model the government has chosen in response to this event is going to fail," he said. "The people in this country deserved better."
Karimov has led Uzbekistan since the collapse of the Soviet Union, turning it into a useful U.S. ally in the "war on terror" and the bombing of Afghanistan, when U.S. warplanes flew sorties from their airbase on Uzbek soil.
Human rights bodies have often accused Uzbekistan of abuses and have criticized Karimov for crushing dissent and persecuting Islamic fundamentalists under the figleaf of fighting terrorism.
The Andizhan deaths prompted much wider condemnation, including expressions of concern from the United Nations, the European Union and NATO, which supports Uzbekistan through its partnership for peace program.
"Today the degree of political and economic repression is certainly greater," Sununu said. "This level of political and economic repression is unsustainable. It will only serve to stimulate discontent and unrest among the people of Uzbekistan."
After Andizhan the United States said it had cut back operations from its Uzbek airbase for security reasons, but not to express disapproval. Washington has urged Uzbek authorities to be open about the events in Andizhan, but McCain said Uzbekistan needed to hear a blunt message.
"I believe that the United States must make this government understand that our relationship is very difficult, if not impossible, if the government continues to repress its people," he said.
Note that the government says that only 169 "bandits" (=terrorists) were killed, NOT 500, but MSM keeps reporting 500.
"Human rights bodies have often accused Uzbekistan of abuses and have criticized Karimov for crushing dissent and persecuting Islamic fundamentalists under the figleaf of fighting terrorism."
It seems like some terrorist lovers are objecting to the the strong actions against the terrorists and radical Islamists, who would like to take over the country.
But I was glad to read that "no government officials agreed to meet with them".
is there any doubt that McCain thinks himself a Presidential candidate?
Is there any doubt about the outcome of such a candidacy by him?
Where did you get that they were terrorist lovers?
Don't you think it is more likely that he will take votes from the GOP?
Meanwhile abuses of power and authority go unchecked in Podunk USA along with criminals allowed to run free or get a slap on the hand as punishment.........doom on polidiots who care more for foreigners than their own nations people......America first, always.
Glad they got snubbed by authorities as they continue to waste money that isn't theirs.......
"He will be taking the steam out of Hillary's sails."
I think you got it backwards -- he will be a spoiler for the Republicans, as Ross Perot had been.
Without Ross Perot Clinton would never have gotten elected.
Now McCain is positioning to get Hillary elected. Mark my words.
People who consider themselves moderates and independents will vote for McCain, Democrats will all vote for Hillary, leaving her the winner for 42% or so, as her husband was elected.
McCain keeps catering to the Democrats -- this "deal" gave nothing to the Republicans, and took nothing away from the Democrats.
I don't remember McCain having this much "enthusiasm" when WE needed to go into IRAQ ?????
"Human rights bodies have often accused Uzbekistan of abuses and have criticized Karimov for crushing dissent and persecuting Islamic fundamentalists under the figleaf of fighting terrorism. "
That doesn't point to this specific incident, does it?
What the eff is McCain and company doing to solve the ills that America is experiencing? Stay home, John, mind your own business, and focus on the interests of US citizens: more and better jobs, for one thing.
I hate it, when I give specific links, people ignore them, refuse to look up anything, and argue about facts, they don't know.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?s=uzbek&ok=Search&q=quick&m=all&o=time&SX=429a1598d84aac76e4e89000f733006d5330ddf6
"As the turbulence in Uzbekistan quiets, two very different pictures are emerging. Activists tell a story of a mass atrocity that resulted in the death of hundreds, while the government says they stamped out an armed rebellion and didn't shoot a single unarmed person"
Now that Crash has "saved the Constitution" he thinks he can save the world....
The government is a dictatorship. Might not matter to you...
I jsut I'd point that out because McCain seems to have forgot that a long time ago.
Frankly, I'm sick of all these professional politicians that do nothing but represent themselves. We need some mutts in Congress. A few garbage men, a couple of auto mechanics, etc.
Apparently you would be happier if the Taliban style radical Islamists took over the country?
"Karimov has led Uzbekistan since the collapse of the Soviet Union, turning it into a useful U.S. ally in the "war on terror" and the bombing of Afghanistan, when U.S. warplanes flew sorties from their airbase on Uzbek soil. "
Are you telling me that hillary is going to be "foisted" on her own petard?
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